Bahamas Attractions and Tours
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
General Info
The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands and in addition more than a thousand cays and reefs that protrude above sea level, all together creating an arc of 1223 km in the Atlantic Ocean. These are the islands closest to the US: the northernmost among them are located only 80 km from the shores of Florida, while the southernmost reach almost to Haiti (the island of "Inagua" is located 97 km from Haiti). The Bahamas are not part of the Caribbean, but because they are located between the Caribbean islands and the US, they are included in Caribbean cruise itineraries, mainly the Eastern Caribbean. Also, due to their great proximity to the shores of Florida, most short cruises of 3-4 nights reach only the Bahamas and do not travel far into the Caribbean. they serve as an excellent introduction to the Caribbean islands and are particularly suitable for those looking for beautiful beaches like those on postcards: palm-lined with white sand and turquoise water, amusement, and water sports activities. The Bahamas are considered the playground for the rich and famous.
The two main destinations for cruise ships in the Bahamas are Nassau and Freeport. Additionally, cruise companies have private islands in the Bahamas with beautiful beaches that the ships visit.
♦ Tours and Attractions in the Bahamas
Tours in Nassau:
Guided tours in a jet boat and swimming with pigs:
ATV tours in Nassau:
♦ Food and History Tour of Nassau Island - Nassau Food and History Bus Tour
Tours in Freeport:
♦ Kayaking in a Turtle Park - Sweetings Cay Mangrove Kayaking and Turtles Lasts about five hours and includes pickup and return to the cruise port.
♦ Sightseeing Tour to the East End of the Island from Freeport - East End Private Day Trip Experience Tour Lasts about 4-7 hours and includes pickup and return to the cruise port.
The islands are also known for the wonderful and diverse diving sites scattered around them, from underwater caves and coral reefs to shipwrecks. This is the place to swim with dolphins and even dive with sharks. Visibility in the sea water is among the highest in the world and reaches over 60 meters!
Did you know? The source of the name Bahamas is from the Spanish "bajamar" which means: "shallow sea". Today the official name of the country is: Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The culture in the islands is an interesting combination of African culture, with native customs and British etiquette.
Tourism in the Bahamas is highly developed and based mostly (over eighty percent) on tourists from the US.
The two most popular destinations in the Bahamas are Nassau, the state capital, located on New Providence Island and Freeport, which is the main city on Grand Bahama Island.
All the other islands besides these two, which are also the most populated, are called the "Out Islands".
The largest and most visited island in the Bahamas is Nassau.
Recommended hotels on Nassau Island:
Amazing and luxurious five-star resort located in the wonderful Paradise Beach. The resort has a huge water park, a marina with dolphins and sea lions (with which you can swim), and a large casino. The hotel has 21 restaurants and 19 bars, an enormous fitness center, tennis and golf courts, duty-free designer shops, and a snorkeling and diving site in the "Antiquities of Atlantis". The hotel has studio apartments, and apartments with one bedroom and two bedrooms that can accommodate up to 8 people.
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas
A five-star resort of the luxurious "Four Seasons" chain located in the northern part of Paradise Island on an 8 km long sandy beach, with 2 swimming pools, a bar, two restaurants, a spa, and a gym.
Four-star resort with a private beach, 6 pools, gym and spa. 9 tennis courts in all types of surfaces, water sports, a casino, with a selection of restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Location, Geography and Weather:
Map of the Bahamas:
The Bahamas are built from flat and elongated coral formations with few low hills created by the fall of the water level and the drying of coral reefs. The highest place in the islands is the peak of a hill called "Mount Alvernia" on Cat Island at a height of 63 meters. There is not a single river in the Bahamas. The total area of the islands is about 13,800 sq km. They are located north-east of Cuba and south-east of Florida.
The weather in the Bahamas is sub-tropical to tropical moderated by the warm Gulf Stream and by the trade winds blowing in it. The average day temperatures throughout all months of the year are 20-30 degrees Celsius and 17-21 at night. The warmest months are July-September and they are also the rainiest months. The water temperature ranges from 23 degrees Celsius in winter to 28 degrees in August. There are more than 315 sunny days a year in the island.
In the summer and autumn months, the island is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. In 1992, Hurricane "Andrew" hit the northern islands in the chain and in 1999, Hurricane "Floyd" hit most of the islands in the country. In 2004, two hurricanes hit the islands, causing extensive damage: Hurricane "Jeanne" and Hurricane "Frances". Although Hurricane "Wilma" in 2005 did not directly hit the islands, it passed close to Freeport and caused many damages, mainly due to the floods that destroyed hundreds of buildings in Grand Bahama.
Updated weather information on the Weather Underground website.
Did you know? The first Governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers, was a former pirate.
The Language
English is the official language in the country. A large part of the population speaks English in a Creole dialect that combines African, English, and native (Arawak) words and accent.
Recommended tours in the Bahamas:
Currency:
The Bahamian Dollar is equal in value to the American Dollar. The use of the American Dollar is extremely common and there is no need to convert it to the local dollar. The use of credit cards is also very common in the country's tourist areas.
Nassau, New Providence
Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is located in the north-west of the island of New Providence
New Providence has an area of 207 sq km, only about 2 percent of the country's area. Almost the entire population of the island, which constitutes two-thirds of all inhabitants of the Bahamas, is concentrated in Nassau and its suburbs. The other parts of the island are covered with rich tropical vegetation. There are also several lakes in the island. Surrounding the island are coral reefs that serve as excellent diving sites. The most developed resort area on the island is "Paradise Island", which is connected to the main island by a bridge.
Nassau is known for its rugged past. In its beginning, in the second half of the 17th century, it was called Charles Town and was known for its bars and brothels, where pirates, criminals, and other dubious types spent time.
In the 18th century, following the founding of the British colony in the Bahamas, beautiful colonial buildings were built in Nassau, among which you can still wander today in the historical center of Nassau.
In recent years, many modern buildings have been built in the city including fashionable cafes, elegant restaurants, and sophisticated clubs. Nassau is today a safe and clean tourist city.
Alongside historical sites, it has luxurious resorts, casinos, wonderful beaches, and a variety of water sports activities that attract over a million tourists a year to Nassau. Nassau is also considered one of the busiest cruise ports.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is located in the city center at Bolam House on George Street, phone: 242-302-2000. A smaller booth is located near the pier at Rawson Square.
The Ministry of Tourism organizes guided walking tours of the city. The tour includes explanations about some of the historical buildings in the city combined with information on the history, culture, and local customs. The tour lasts about an hour and departs every hour between 10:00-14:00 from the pier. The price of the tour is 10 dollars. It is recommended to book places in advance.
It is easiest and most convenient to tour the city center on foot between the squares, government buildings, shops, and markets.
In Parliament Square stands a statue of Queen Victoria. Most of the buildings around the square are painted in pink and house the government offices as well as the Supreme Court. Government House is painted bright pink and is a reconstruction of the original structure from the 18th century that was destroyed by a hurricane. Another interesting building, on the nearby Shirley Street, is the Nassau Public Library building built in 1798 as a prison. This is an octagonal building considered one of the oldest buildings in the city.
The Attractions in and around Nassau:
Pirates of Nassau Museum
Fort Fincastle
Fort Charlotte
Atlantis Marine Habitat "The Dig"
Blue Lagoon Island
Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center
The Beaches
New Providence Island is blessed with wonderful sea beaches, some long and spread out over many kilometers and some small beaches in hidden coves. In the cays adjacent to the main island you will also find spectacular sea beaches that must be reached by a motorboat ride.
Cable Beach
A 6.5 km long beach with soft white sand which has many hotels and resorts all along it. The waters may change rapidly from calm and clear to stormy, depending on the wind conditions. Near the beach are many restaurants, shops, casinos, and bars. Along the beach are many stalls offering boat rentals and especially jet skis. This is not the place for those looking for peace and quiet but for those interested in combining shopping with sea sports and recreation. The beach is located in the north of the island, about 8 kilometers west of the port of Nassau.
Western Esplanade
Located closer to the port near the city center west of the Hilton British Colonial Hotel. The beach has a strip of white sand, a snack bar, changing rooms, and restrooms. This is a less high-quality beach than Cable Beach, suitable for those touring the city center on foot and interested in refreshing in the sea before returning to the ship.
The most beautiful beaches in the island are located in Paradise Island. Recommended smaller beaches (with interesting names) in Paradise Island are "Cabbage Beach" and "Pirate's Cove Beach". Cabbage Beach is a lovely beach about 3 km long, bordering the Atlantis mega-resort, which makes it quite crowded. In its eastern part you can rent jet skis, pedal boats or go paragliding.
Those looking for a quieter and less crowded beach will have to go further to the north-western tip of the island to "Harbour Island's Beach". The beach stretching along 5 km of fine white sand is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.